Brasserie is the French expression for a venue that is less formal and has a simpler product range than a restaurant. Apart from beer on tab, you usually get good old comfort food. That is what Wikipedia tells us.

Pork roast with roast potatoes, Wiener Schnitzel and Swabian cheese spaetzle are announced on a big board outside Joseph Roth Diele. The display complements: traditional sandwiches with cold cuts or cheese, soups and daily changing dishes, just like today’s beef roulade. It hardly gets more German than this.

The interior however is impressive and takes me back in time, to an early 20th century Paris. To one of those places that is frequented by intellectuals and creatives at night, for good drinks and good talks. And Joseph Roth Diele is just that! Guest and reading parlor at once. During the Berlin Film Festival, you’ll find people from the industry and other creatives lounging around, there are lectures and an invitingly diverse and interesting audience throughout the year.

My roasted pork and potatoes come with a salad on the side, everything is authentic and flavorful. The salad is made with black olives, corn and the obligatory tomato slice, the gravy is real and rich and the sautéed potatoes are outstanding. The beer is served in rustic stoneware jugs. There are white as well as red wines to choose from. My friend is praising the pear cider while I am indulging in a Gin Soda.

The straightforwardness of everything also shows in the unpretentious way the staff is serving you, and so my testimonial shall also be plain and simple: a fantastic interior with the extra comfort factor and food that’ll keep its promises. We’ll be back!